Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov is in Tehran to meet top Iranian officials on his first visit since the launch of the US-Israeli war against Iran almost eight months ago.
Lavrov was welcomed upon his arrival in Tehran on Monday by Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi.
The top Iranian and Russian diplomats immediately started their negotiations.
During his stay, the top Russian diplomat is scheduled to meet President Masoud Pezeshkian.
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei said on Sunday that Lavrov’s trip falls within the framework of ongoing consultations between Tehran and Moscow and aims to advance agreements previously signed by the two sides.
Baghaei added that the latest regional and international developments are also on the agenda of discussions between Lavrov and Iranian officials.
The Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement that Lavrov will meet with the Iranian president before holding “confidential and thorough” talks with Araghchi.
“Discussions will cover the situation in the Persian Gulf and ways to resolve the acute international crisis triggered by the unlawful US and Israeli aggression against Iran,” the ministry said.
According to the statement, the bilateral agenda will also focus on energy, transport and economic projects.
Iran and Russia officially began executing a 20-year comprehensive strategic partnership treaty in October 2025, marking a significant step towards strengthening their bilateral ties. The treaty was signed by Russian President Vladimir Putin and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian in Moscow on January 17, 2025.
Moscow is one of Tehran’s closest partners and has repeatedly condemned the US-Israeli war against Iran in February.
Lavrov has said that Moscow is making efforts "aimed at preventing the return of a large-scale war", with talks stalled between Iran and the US.
His visit comes after Russian President Vladimir Putin told Pezeshkian in early October that Moscow was prepared to contribute to mediation efforts.
Some news reports have also suggested that Moscow could play a more active role in easing tensions and advancing negotiations between Tehran and Washington, following a recent phone call between US President Donald Trump and his Russian counterpart.
The US and Israel jointly began an unprovoked aggression against Iran on February 28 by targeting Iran’s top civilian and military leadership. The strikes also targeted civilian infrastructure, including roads, bridges, and railway lines.
In response, the Iranian armed forces launched powerful retaliatory attacks against US and Israeli assets in the region, dealing heavy blows to the invading coalition.
The war came to a halt after 40 days with a ceasefire, which was then formalized in mid-June when the presidents of Iran and the US signed the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding.
Iran has also maintained a tight grip on the Strait of Hormuz since the early days of the second imposed war.
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